THE JOURNAL
In 2023, bags for men have taken about 20 leaps forward. Every category from backpacks to totes and cross-body bags have experienced a glow-up – evolving from boring or utilitarian to elegant and uber-stylish. It’s likely you know a man who needs to update his bag game (if he’s using a complimentary tote as his everyday bag, for example). Luckily, make excellent gifts as the holidays roll around. Here are our favourites this season.
01. The CELINE HOMME messenger bag
Sure, you can shove your phone, keys and wallet into your coat or trouser pockets, but that is the fastest way to ruin said items. A small bag with a long strap like this one from CELINE HOMME is the perfect solution. We’re also very fond of the Triomphe monogram motif.
02. The Gucci weekend bag
An elegant duffle bag is the king of any bag collection. Small enough that you can comfortably sling it over a shoulder or shove it into the boot of a car, but big enough to hold all your bits and pieces – a weekender is essential for living the good life. This one from Gucci is a designer classic and we’re pretty sure any man would be thrilled to receive this.
03. The TOM FORD backpack
Once we’ve outgrown our schoolbooks, it’s likely we’ve outgrown school backpacks, too. But if you value the straightness of your spine on commutes, you’ll know that an adult backpack is required for lugging one’s work junk to and fro. TOM FORD of course makes a glorious pebble-grain leather backpack that will shame all other backpacks.
04. The Bottega Veneta tote
If the object of your gifting is the kind of gentleman who is carrying a New Yorker tote bag or – even worse – some merch bag from a business trip, then it’s time for a Bottega Veneta upgrade. This one is a bit of a splashier take on the brand’s classic Intreciatto weave. This is a bag he can be proud of.
05. The SAINT LAURENT bucket bag
The perfect gift for a man who likes to overstuff his pockets. SAINT LAURENT’s padded nylon bucket bag has a small footprint but is easy to sling over your shoulder on the way out of the door and big enough to stash all the little things you need for a night out with the boys.